Is the food truck revolution coming soon to Atwater? Stay tuned
Atwater may soon catch up to a popular nation-wide trend.
The city took the first step toward allowing mobile food vendors to operate in parts of Atwater at a recent City Council meeting. If the ordinance passes during a second reading on Jan. 13, business owners granted a conditional use permit may sell food out of vehicles, motorized carts and trailers.
“We’re optimistic that going into 2020, this is going to be a great benefit to the city,” City Manager Lori Waterman said.
Numerous requests from the public, business professionals, City Council and the planning commission drove the initiative, the agenda report states. Council member Brian Raymond is credited with spearheading the plan.
“There were a lot of people that were pushing for it,” Raymond said. But after years without results, he brought the idea up to City Council, where it began to develop into a functioning plan.
Talks of bringing food trucks to the city went on the last two to three years, but a local ordinance had blocked those trucks from coming to Atwater as far back as Raymond can remember, he said.
“We were told by the previous council that food trucks are undesirable,” Raymond said. “Once I heard that, it became a mission to get them approved. Because that’s just not a reason.”
Mobile food vendors will bring new businesses and more options to Atwater, Raymond said. Lack of food options is a common complaint brought to City Council by the public.
Community support positive
Vendors will be permitted in industrial, light industrial and business park zones of the city. The plan limits mobile food to these areas in an effort to prevent encroachment upon residential areas, schools and existing brick-and-mortar businesses — areas that residents had concerns over food trucks operating near.
“I think the important thing we were doing when looking at (the plan) was making sure it wouldn’t impact those restaurants that have already existed in Atwater,” Waterman said.
The reception from the community has been very positive, even among current restaurant owners, Raymond said. Several owners see food trucks as an opportunity to expand their business.
“It’s not going to compete with sit-down restaurants,” Raymond said. “Someone looking for a food truck is looking for a quick turnaround.”
The mobile food zones will bring more accessible options to employees working in areas without many nearby restaurants, Waterman noted. This will make it easier for Atwater workers to eat during short lunch breaks.
If passed after the second reading, prospective business owners may apply for a conditional use permit after 30 days. Once processed, those granted permits can move forward early next year.
This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Is the food truck revolution coming soon to Atwater? Stay tuned."
